Reims

Reims is a large and important city in France. It is the biggest city in the Marne department and the 12th biggest city in France. The city is about 129 km northeast of Paris along the Vesle river.

Reims has a long and rich history. It was founded by the Gauls and grew during the time of the Roman Empire. The city is famous because it was where French kings were crowned. This special ceremony happened at the beautiful Cathedral of Reims, which held a very old and important religious object called the Holy Ampulla.

Today, Reims is known for its many old buildings, from the Romanesque style to Art-déco. In 1991, several important places in Reims, including the Reims Cathedral, the Palace of Tau, and the Abbey of Saint-Remi, were named a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of their special architecture and history. Reims is also near the Champagne wine region, making it an important place for wine production and trade.

History

See also: Timeline of Reims

Reims is an old city. It started as the capital of the Remi tribe around 80 BC. The Remi joined with the Romans when they came to Gaul. Because of their loyalty, the Romans favored them. During Roman times, the city may have had as many as 100,000 people. It was first called Durocortorum, and later named Reims after the Remi tribe.

Christianity began in Reims around the year 260. In 496, an important event happened. A bishop named Remigius baptized Clovis, the king of the Franks, using special oil said to come from heaven. This event became a symbol for French kings.

Reims became a place for learning by the 10th century. Schools taught subjects like the liberal arts. The archbishops of Reims had the special duty of crowning the kings of France for many years.

In 1139, the city was given special rights. Later, during a big war, French heroes helped drive out invaders and had a king crowned in Reims. Sadly, there were times when the city faced hard times, like during wars and sicknesses.

During World War I, the city was badly damaged by fighting. The famous cathedral was hurt, and pictures of it became symbols of the war. After the war, people worked to fix the cathedral.

During World War II, the city was damaged again. In 1945, important leaders from the Allied forces accepted the surrender of German forces in Reims, ending the war in Europe.

In 1908, an early airplane pilot flew to Reims, and in 1909, the city hosted a big airplane meeting with famous pilots.

Administration

Reims is a major city in the department of Marne, in the region of Grand Est. Though Reims is the largest town in the area, Châlons-en-Champagne is the main administrative center. Reims partners with 142 nearby towns in a group called the Communauté urbaine of the Grand Reims_.

Demographics

Reims is a city in France with many people living there. It is part of the Marne department in the Champagne-Ardenne region. The city has grown over time, and today it is a busy place with lots of homes and workplaces. Many people visit Reims because of its famous landmarks and history.

Economy

Rue de Vesle is the main shopping street in Reims. It runs from southwest to northeast through the Place Royale. The city's economy is mostly powered by the wine and Champagne industries, as well as new ideas in the bio-economic field.

Architecture

Reims Cathedral is a beautiful example of French Gothic architecture. The Basilica of Saint-Remi is the largest Romanesque church in northern France. The Church of Saint-Jacques is near shopping and restaurants.

The Protestant Church of Reims, built in 1921–1923, shows off flamboyant neo-Gothic style. The Hôtel de Ville, built in the 17th century, has a pediment with a statue of Louis XIII. Narcisse Brunette, the city's architect for nearly 50 years, designed the Reims Manège and Circus. Examples of Art Deco in Reims include the Carnegie library. The Foujita Chapel, built in 1965–1966, was designed by artist Tsuguharu Foujita and has been listed as a monument historique since 1992.

Culture

Reims tried to become the European Capital of Culture in 2028 but did not win.

The city has many interesting places to visit. The Palace of Tau shows old statues and treasures used for French kings. The Musée Saint-Remi has old tapestries, furniture, jewellery, and pottery. It also has items from long ago, like the Palaeolithic and Neolithic periods.

The Automobile Museum Reims-Champagne, started in 1985, has many cars from 1903 until today. It also shows motorcycles, toys, and small cars. The Museum of Fine Arts has beautiful paintings. The Museum of the Surrender is where leaders met in 1945 to end a big war.

Reims has places for shows and performances. The Reims Opera House was built in 1873. The Reims Manège and Circus dates back to the 1860s. The Comédie de Reims started in 1966.

The city has libraries, including one built in the 1920s.

Reims holds many fun events each year. In January, there is the FARaway Festival with music and dance. In June, the Fêtes Johanniques celebrate an important moment from long ago. In August and September, there are light shows on the Reims Cathedral. Before Christmas, a big Christmas market happens near the train station. There is also a large Christmas tree.

Reims is known for its food and wine. Many places to eat are around Place Drouet d'Erlon. The city is a key place for making champagne, and you can visit caves where champagne is aged. Reims is famous for special biscuits and sweets like the biscuit rose de Reims, pain d'épices, and nonnette.

The city has been a place for sports. The French Grand Prix was held there many times. The local football team, Stade Reims, was successful in the 1950s and 1960s. The city has hosted the Teqball World Cup and the Reims Marathon since 1984.

Transport

Reims has two main train stations: Gare de Reims in the city center for local trains, and Gare de Champagne-Ardenne TGV a little outside the city for fast trains to Paris. There are also smaller stops at Franchet d'Esperey and Reims-Maison-Blanche. Big roads like A4, A26, and A34 are near Reims.

Inside the city, people can use buses and a tramway that began in 2011. There is also a bike rental program called Zébullo. There is a canal named the Canal de l'Aisne à la Marne, and an airport called Reims – Prunay Aerodrome, but it does not have regular flights. The big airport in Paris, Charles de Gaulle Airport, is not far away.

Parks and gardens

Reims has many lovely parks and gardens. One of them is Parc de Champagne, where you can find a special monument called the Monument to the Heroes of the Black Army.

Near the main train station, there is a park called Hautes Promenades. This park has fun things to play with, like swings, hammocks, a carousel, trampolines you can jump on, and even a water park for splashing around. There are also smaller gardens and parks all around the city, such as Jardin Le Vergeur, Parc Léo-Lagrange, and Parc Saint-Remi, which is close to the Basilica of Saint-Remi.

Higher education

Reims has several important schools. In 2010, SciencesPo Paris, a top university for studying societies and politics, opened a campus in an old building called the Jesuit College of Reims. It offers programs for students from Europe and beyond.

The Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne was started in 1548 and helps thousands of students learn in many different subjects. It also helps people who already work to improve their skills.

Another well-known school in Reims is NEOMA Business School, which began as the Advanced Business School of Reims in 1928 and changed its name in 2000.

Notable residents

Reims has been home to many interesting people throughout history. Some famous people born in Reims include Adolphe d'Archiac, a geologist and paleontologist, and Jean Baudrillard, a cultural theorist and philosopher.

Other notable residents are Olivier de Benoist, a comedian, and Nicolas Bergier, a scholar of Roman roads.

The city also saw the birth of Brodinski, a musical artist and DJ, and Roger Caillois, an intellectual. Jean-Baptiste Colbert, who served as Minister of Finance under King Louis XIV, was also from Reims.

Additionally, Anne-Sophie Da Costa, a boxer, and Jean Del Val, an actor, were born there.

Reims has produced many talented artists and athletes, including Rose Delaunay, an opera singer, and Jean-Baptiste Drouet, a marshal of France who served in Napoleon's army. Hugo Ekitike, a professional footballer, and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, a world champion cyclist, are also from Reims. The city’s rich history continues with figures like Robert Pires, a World Cup winner and footballer, and Patrick Poivre d'Arvor, a well-known television journalist.

Climate

Reims has an oceanic climate. This means its weather is influenced by being far from the ocean. The weather stays mild on average, but it can sometimes get very hot or very cold. Reims often has cloudy skies and low pressure, but it does not get too much rain.

Twin towns – sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in France

Reims has friendly connections with these cities around the world:

• [Florence], Italy (1954)
• [Brazzaville], Congo (1961)
• [Canterbury], England, United Kingdom (1962)
• [Salzburg], Austria (1964)
• [Aachen], Germany (1967)
• [Arlington County], United States (2004)
• [Kutná Hora], Czech Republic (2008)
• [Nagoya], Japan (2018)